Mixed reaction about President's State of Nation address

Mrs Catherine Afeku Ambelema, Member of Parliament (MP) for Evalue Gyira on Thursday described the State of the Nation Address by President John Atta Mills as full of recycled and failed promises.

She told the Ghana News Agency that the address did not touch on increased tariffs and the one time premium payment for the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Ms Afeku said apart from the Youth- in- Agriculture- Programme, the president left out a number of sectors that could provide employment for the people.

Mr Kwame Amporfo Twumasi, MP for Nkoranza South, said the promise by the President to eliminate schools that offer lessons under trees was not new, saying the policy was started by the previous government.

“What I expect the President to tell Ghanaians is how many schools will be removed under trees?”

Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, Member for Manhyia said the President’s address did not contain road maps on job creation.

Mr Alban Bagbin Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing said the President’s speech was very good because it captured most of the policies the government was taking to fulfil the ‘a better Ghana’ agenda.

Mr Rashid Pelpuo Deputy Minority Leader said the speech of the president highlighted what the ruling National Democratic Congress had achieved so far and defined the way forward.

He said the achievement in the agriculture was commendable making reference to the Buffer Stock Management Agency, which would take over the rehabilitation of the 12 ware houses of the erstwhile Ghana Food Distribution Corporation.

Mr Yieleh Chieleh, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development said the address was great and full of hope.

He said the speech had given new impetus to the decentralisation process, which would give more power to the local people because of the far reaching reforms the President promised.

Source: GNA